Donald Trump Threatens South Africa with G20 Exclusion Over Claims

In a provocative statement, United States President Donald Trump has accused the South African government of committing genocide against white individuals, leading him to propose that the country be barred from attending the upcoming G20 summit in Miami in 2026. This announcement has sparked a significant diplomatic row, raising questions about the future of international economic cooperation.

Trump made his remarks via social media, explaining that he had chosen to skip the recent G20 summit held in Johannesburg because South Africa allegedly “refuses to acknowledge or address the horrific human rights abuses endured by Afrikaners and other descendants of European settlers.” He further claimed that the South African government is complicit in the killings of white individuals and allowing their farms to be appropriated.

These assertions, largely propagated by a small faction of white nationalists, have been widely discredited by independent observers. Despite the ongoing debate about crime in South Africa, the allegations of widespread genocide have been rejected by various credible sources.

The US President declared, "South Africa has demonstrated to the world they are not a country worthy of membership anywhere," and announced that he would cease all financial aid to the nation, which had amounted to over $564 million in 2024, primarily for health-related initiatives, before being reduced to a planned $103 million in 2025.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa responded to Trump's claims, asserting that the violent incidents involving farmers were part of a broader crime wave affecting all South Africans, not just a specific racial group. He highlighted that the allegations referenced by Trump were an oversimplification stemming from a minority political party.

During a meeting with Trump, Ramaphosa attempted to engage the US President through light-hearted banter, referencing Trump's previous acquisition of a jet from Qatar. However, the relationship between the two nations appears to be deteriorating. Trump expressed frustration over South Africa's handling of the G20 presidency transfer, alleging that it was not properly handed to a US embassy representative at the Johannesburg summit. Ramaphosa countered that the transfer was carried out according to protocol.

In a robust rebuttal to Trump's threats, Ramaphosa stated that South Africa’s membership in the G20 is based on its own merits and called on other member nations to support its continued participation. He emphasised that international cooperation should be grounded in mutual respect and consensus among all countries involved.

Legal experts have pointed out that Trump's proposed exclusion of South Africa from the G20 is problematic, as the forum operates on a consensus basis without formal exclusion mechanisms. Historical precedents indicate that no single member country, including the US, possesses the authority to unilaterally expel another member.

The current diplomatic tensions reflect broader issues within the G20, as the US continues to engage in disputes with several member states, including Brazil, Canada, and Mexico, alongside ongoing tensions with Russia, China, and India.

As the situation unfolds, South African officials have urged for solidarity among G20 members, stressing the importance of upholding the integrity of the group and the rights of all its constituents. The recent G20 summit concluded with a commitment to multilateral cooperation on pressing issues such as climate change and economic inequality, despite the US's objections to certain policies.

The future of the G20 summit in Miami remains uncertain amid escalating political tensions and challenges to global consensus-building efforts.